Republican Erica Conway Harriss flipped the Illinois Senate District 56 seat when she defeated Democrat Kris Tharp by roughly 2,000 votes.
Harriss received 31,441 votes in Madison County and 5,751 in St. Clair County, for a total of 37,192 votes.
Tharp received 28,811 votes in Madison County and 6,417 votes in St. Clair County, for a total of 35,228 votes.
Harriss thanked supporters at an election night watch party
| Madison-St. Clair County Record
The voting results are calculated from unofficial totals in Madison and St. Clair Counties.
“I am honored to have been elected to represent our community in the Illinois State Senate," Harriss stated. "I am so grateful to all of the voters and volunteers who embraced our campaign’s message. I look forward to bringing your voice to Sprigfield. Thank you to everyone who participated in our democracy tonight. I will do everything I can to support policies that empower the people over politicians and make Illinois a better place to work, live and raise a family.”
During a watch party for the Madison County GOP in Edwardsville, Harriss thanked her family and supporters and said she looks forward to "making great change" in Illinois.
Harriss was born and raised in Madison County, where she is currently raising her own family. She graduated from Edwardsville High School and Southern Illinois University.
As a small business owner and founder of Saving Grace Beauty LLC, Harriss said she first ran for the Madison County Board’s 26th District after seeing the problems faced by the Illinois government and believing her skills and experiences would be an asset. She was elected to the seat in November 2016 and was re-elected in November 2020. She serves as chairperson of the Institutions and Personnel committees. She also serves on the Finance, Government Relations, Grants and Executive committees.
Harriss originally announced her campaign against former Illinois Sen. Rachelle Crowe. Crowe was then selected to serve as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois on May 17. She resigned from the 56th Senate District and terminated her re-election campaign.
Before Crowe’s appointment was officially announced, Tharp, a captain with the Madison County Sheriff’s Department who currently serves as Jail Administrator, filed papers on May 13 to run on the Democratic ticket against Harriss.
He was then selected to fill the remainder of Crowe’s seat by appointment from the Democratic County Chairs for the 56th Legislative State Senate District. The committee includes Randy Harriss of Madison County, Robert Sprague of St. Clair County and Mark Pohlman of Jersey County.